BLOOMINGTON, Indiana — In a moment he will never forget, Rob Phinisee ran off a Race Thompson canopy and intercepted Trey Galloway’s incoming pass on the right wing. Phinisee rose above Purdue’s Sasha Stefanovic and sank a 3-pointer to give Indiana a point advantage with 16.9 seconds on the clock.
With two stops and two free throws between Trayce Jackson and Davis, Indiana secured a 68-65 win over Purdue, ending the Hoosiers’ nine-game losing streak in the state-to-state rivalry. A year ago today, on January 20, 2022, fans stormed the court and lifted Phinisee – known as “Big Shot Rob” – onto their shoulders.
Indiana guard Rob Phinisee celebrates with fans on the court following the Hoosiers’ 68-65 win over Purdue on January 20, 2022 at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall in Bloomington, Indiana.
Photo by Gracie Farrall
That shot gave Phinisee a career-high 20 points off the bench and put his name in Indiana’s basketball history books. It was a particularly meaningful game for Phinisee, a native of Lafayette, Ind. who had never beaten the Boilermakers in his Indiana career.
The Hoosiers finally qualified in their freshman year under coach Mike Woodson for their first NCAA tournament appearance since 2016, and that resume-boosting win over Purdue was a big reason for that.
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To relive the memorable night, here’s the game story written by HooisersNow.com editor Tom Brew. CLICK HERE
To watch the full post-game press conference featuring Phinisee and Indiana point guard Xavier Johnson, who scored 18 points in the game, CLICK HERE.
And to watch Mike Woodson’s post-game press conference after Indiana’s win over Purdue, CLICK HERE
After averaging 6.5 points and 2.8 assists in 111 total games over four seasons as Hoosier, Phinisee graduated from Indiana and used his bonus COVID year to transfer to the University of Cincinnati. Limited to eight games in the 2022-23 season, Phinisee has not played since November 30 due to injury.
- GAME STORY OF INDIANA’S WIN OVER ILLINOIS: Illinois opted not to double up on Trayce Jackson-Davis Thursday night, and the senior made them pay. He scored 35 points and the Hoosiers pulled off a huge win on the road with an 80-65 win. Jackson-Davis made 15 of his 19 field goal attempts and his 35 was a season-high. CLICK HERE
- UNDERWOOD ‘NO WORRY’ ABOUT JACKSON-DAVIS’ 35: Indiana’s star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis scored 35 points in an 80-65 win, but Illinois coach Brad Underwood was more concerned about the Illinois’ 14 missed free throws, 13 missed layups and more. CLICK HERE
- WHAT WOODSON SAID: Indiana clinched a much-needed win away on Thursday night by beating Illinois 80-65 and ending the Illini’s four-game winning streak. Here’s what Hoosiers coach Mike Woodson said when he met with the media after the game, with full video and transcript. CLICK HERE
- WHAT JACKSON-DAVIS SAID TO GERONIMO: Trayce Jackson-Davis had 35 points and nine rebounds and Jordan Geronimo added 13 and eight as Indiana beat Illinois 80-65 in Champaign Thursday night. Fig. The two forwards met the media after the game and here is the full video and transcript. CLICK HERE
- WATCH JACKSON-DAVIS’ BLOCK: Illinois forward Dain Dainja drove to the left block, but Indiana’s Trayce Jackson-Davis was there to parry the backboard shot. CLICK HERE
- SEE HOOD-SCHIFINO’S DUNK: Indiana freshman guard Jalen Hood-Schifino split the Illinois defense and dove over Coleman Hawkins in the first half. CLICK HERE
- WATCH JACKSON-DAVIS’ DUNK: Indiana’s star forward Trayce Jackson-Davis spun past Dain Dainja in the second half against Illinois for a massive slam dunk. CLICK HERE
